Happy Pre-Father’s Day to Father of the Year Pierce Allman (and ALL DADS!)

Update 12:00 pm: this item has been updated to reflect today is not Father’s Day, it is next Sunday: we are getting a head start!

Our own Pierce Allman was named Father of the Year at the 42nd Anniversary Father of the Year Awards Luncheon this past week, one of three to receive the honor. The luncheon was held at the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Wednesday, June 7. In a tradition dating back to 1976, three outstanding Dallas dads were honored, as they have been each year: John B. Poston, President, Daymark Living and Robert L. (Bob) Walker, President/CEO, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Each year since its inception in the ’70s, the tradition of celebrating exceptional Dallas fathers accomplishments and generosity take place at this annual luncheon. The Father of the Year Awards has grown from a modest event raising a few hundred dollars to an annual celebration of fatherhood, raising over $4 million and benefiting more than 75 local charities. Recipients are selected as stellar examples of commitment to family and community. 

The Father of the Year Awards committee traditionally supports honoree’s charities. One of Pierce’s cherished charities is the S.M. Wright Foundation, with its work benefitting children through its Beds for Kids Program and the Education Center. The luncheon also benefitted LaunchAbility, the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, the Father of the Year Scholarship Fund and the Sylvan Landau Founders Scholarship providing college funding for young adults seeking the skills they need to make a difference in their communities as they build their own future.

Celebrating with Pierce was his wife of over 50 years, Allie Beth Allman; his children, Amy Allman-Dean and Margaret Allman-Cowan; along with his youngest grandchild, Cora Elizabeth Dean. Other grandchildren sent their love and well wishes in a heartfelt video that was played at the event.

“This is truly a wonderful honor. For me, being a good father has been the most important part of my life,” said Allman. “Wherever my girls are, whatever they are doing, I want them to know “my father loves me”—it is unconditional love.”

His speech was so tender, beginning with the touching story of how he rushed Allie Beth to the hospital when she was in labor. Unfortunately, not all labors proceed without complications. For a bit, Pierce was scared to death he could lose both mother and baby. But his fear turned to sheer delight and overwhelming excitement when the physicians saved both baby and mother. (Gotta love those Ob/Gyns!) He purely described the awe and great responsibility he felt that day, something every father feels in the delivery room when handed a new bundle of love. Pierce vowed to be the best dad ever, though he was still not sure what that entailed.

So he went out and bought the baby girl a dress!

Generations later, Pierce’s grandchildren speak of their love for their grandfather, memories of special times spend wth him and how vastly they have learned from him. Pierce not only aced being a father of two beautiful girls, he slam-dunks grand-parenting daily.

Past Father of the Year recipients include: George W. Bush, seven Dallas Mayors, Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, among others. The Father of the Year Awards was established by Dallas apparel legend Sylvan Landau to honor exceptional fathers for their dedication to family life and community service. The first few years established an education fund for quintuplets born to the Jerry Davis family.